Wrapping machine



Jan. 5, 1932. I c. LITTLEFIELD 1,839,567

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 [1V VE 1V TOR ey was A TTcMNE 11$ Jan 5, 1932. c. LlTTLEFlELD 1,839,567

WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1928 4-Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR earl L1) 11/6 l'e/d Jan. 5, 1932. c LITTLEFIELD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1928 4 ShGGtS-ShGEt 3 uvwswroze BY 0dr] LztHe/c'ela Jan. 5, 1932.

C. LITTLEFIELD WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 11v VENTOR Gar"! L/flle [aid A TTORNE Y5 Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARL LITTLEFIEIJD, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB TO BATTLE CREEK BREAD WRAPPING MACHINE 00., OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN WRAPPING MACHINE Application filed August 1, 1928. Serial No. 298,667.

The main objects of this invention are First, to provide in a wrapping machine an improved means for performing the 1mtial wrapping operation and support ng the 6 package in its initial wrapping position.

Second, to provide an improved means for wrapping articles such as boxes having telescopin covers, that is covers which project over t e walls of the x.

Third, to provide a wrapping mechanism in which the wrapper is smoothly applied and snugly fitted to the angles of the box.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. The

invention is defined in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side perspective view of in mproved wrapping machine, parts ing broken away for convenience in illustration.

Fi 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing details of the folding mechanism, the parts being in initial or retracted position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective yiew of certain parts shown in Fig. 2 in partially advanced position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view with a ackage in its initial wrapping pos1 tion an the wrapper draped over the same.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view with the front end bottom flap folders in partially actuated position.

Fig; 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the partially wrappled package at another state in its travel, t e initialfolding of the rear end flaps having been per-- formed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the package at another state of its travel, in position where the initial folding of the top andbottom end flaps is begun.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section through the delivery conve or on a line corresponding to line 8-8 of ig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the wrapped package.

Referring to the drawings, the frame designated generally by the numeral l is of suitable construction to sup ort the operative parts. The packages to wrapped are fed into the machine by the conveyor shown conventionally at 2. As the details of this conveyor form no part of the present invention they are not shown herein.

From this feed conveyor the packages are delivered to a vertically reciprocating plunger 3. The means for reciprocating thls plunger in timed relation with the other parts are not illustrated as they form no part of this invention.

The wrappers 4 are fed into position above the plunger by means of a wrap er feed mechanism disposed at the front 0 the machine and designated generall by the numeral 5. The wrappers are fe on to a supporting table 6 having an openingtherein through which the plunger reciprocates.

As the packages are carried upwardly by the plunger they engage the under side of the paper centrally thereof so that as the package is advanced the wrapper is draped over the sides by its wiping engagement with the front edge of the bottom front fla folder 7 and the front edge of the rear ottom flap folder 8. The rear bottom fiap holder 8 is stationary while the front flap folder 7 is mounted for reciprocator movement.

In coacting relatlon to t e member 8 I provide a plurality of wrapper holding fingers 9 which are mounted on a shaft 10 to project upwardly when in one position in the plane at the front edge of the flap folder 8, see Fig. 3, or to project forwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 2, or to lie in the slots 11,

also shown in Fig. 2. These fingers are arranged in oppositely projecting pairs.-

A cam-shaped locking member 12 provided with a pair of stop shoulders 13 ismounted on the end of the shaft to coact with a dog 14 pivoted at 15 and urged yieldingyxto en.- gaging position by the spring 16. is dog is automatically released by the cam17 on the shaft 18 which is .driven in timed relation to other parts of the machine. The do is released in timed relation to the upwar travel of the plunger 3 so that as the wrapper on the box is carried into engagement with the forwardly projecting fingers 9, the

frictional engagement with the wrapper,-

smoothly and snugly wrapping it about the side of the package.

When the package is moved upwardly to first flap folding osition shown in Fig. 4 with a wrapper raped over the top and sides of the package, the wrapper rests againstthe under sides of the wrapper retaining bars 19. These bars are spaced so as 'toeiigafge the wrapper adjacent the upper ed as o thepackage which is shown at 20. hepackage illustrated is rovided with a cover 21, the edges of which overhang the sides-of the box.

' With the parts in position shown'in Fig. 4

.the front bottom flao folder 7 and also the front end flap folders 22 are actuated to fold the front bottom flap against the under side of the package and to fold the front end flaps against the ends of the package.

The front end flap folders 22 are mounted to move with the bottom fla folder 7, the

folder 7 and attached parts w ich are carried by a slide 107 are connected by the link 23 to a lever 24 oscillated by the pitman 25 -drive'n from the crank disk 26 on the shaft ,18. k The front end flap folders 22 have shouldered faces 27, the shoulders being positioned to fit under the cover of the box being w'rapped. These end flap folders 22 carry centrally disposed forwardly projecting fingers 28 which engage the front end flaps'centrally,initially deflecting or bendscribed" the package is moved rearwardly by.

,iniithc likelihood of fracturing the ing the same which results in a more even or uniform fold and prevents wrinkles, reducaper. ov'able with the bottom and end flap folders are wrapper retaining blades 29 which roject forwardly to engage the portions o the wrapper rojectiggx at the top of ese retaining edge oft x as shown in Fig. 4 so that,

as the front folds are formed slippin of the wrapper. is prevented, and a smoot close fold over the edge of the package results.

Following these folding operations demeans'of the pusher 30 which is movable independently of the front, bottom and end flap folders, and is shouldered at 31 to correspondwith vthe shoulders on the faces of 'thefront end flap folders 22. This pusher 3O iscarried by a slide 32connected to the rods 33'," one of which lSl C QIIDBCtGd to the actuating'leyer 34 driven through the 'pitman are n sufiicient y to seal the over 35. The actuating means for this pitman are not illustrated.

In synchronism with the engagement of the package with the pusher the dog 14 is released so that as the package is carried over the rear bottom fiap folder 8 the fingers 9 wipe or turn the rear bottom flap under the package and swing down into the slots 11 in the member 8. Continued movement of the package brings the rear and tie 's first into engagement with the rear end ap creasing fingers 36 which form the initial bend or deflection in the rear end flap as is clearly in-' rear end flap folders 37 w ich are operative ly fixed relative to the foldin table 38 so that as the ackage is carried a ong thereon, the rear end flap fold is completed. These folders 37 have shouldered faces 39 as clear 1y shown in Fig. 3.

At the outer sides of the rear end flap folders 37'1 mount top fla oreasin members 40 which are curved ownwar ly and forwardly so that the pro'ectin top flaps pass over the same, the on of the holding lades 29 being in this position in coacting relation to the creasing members so that rojecting top flaps are carried between t ese members'as shown in Fig. 7. These creasing members insure a sharp smooth fold for the top end flap. To secure the same result for the bottom end flap I provide-creasing fingers 41 which, as the partiallywrapped package is carried rearwardly, engage the bottom end flaps, that is, the bottom end flaps pass under the same, thereby forming sharp creases in the previously folded fia s.

The top and bottom end flap fo ders 42 and 43 are positioned in opposed relation and conformed so that'the bottom end flap is first folded upwardly and the top flap is then folded downwardly upon the folded bottom end flaps. The folding edges of the bottom end flap folders are inclined forwardly and downwardly, .while the folding edges of the top end flap folders are inclined downwardly and rearwardly. i

I preferably employ a sealing mechanism in this-relation which, when the packages are wrap edwith araflined paper melt the lying flaps.

he end flap sealers are conventlonally shown at 44 and are disposed at'the rear of the top end flap folders 42. The bottom heating element is indicated by dotted lines at 45, Fig. 7 The end fia sealers 44 also have shouldered faces as in icated to correspond with the shouldered faces of the end flap folders.

-From the sealing position the packages are passed to a delivery conveyor c'onsistin of a slideway 46 and a pair of opposed belts 47 having shouldered faces 48 which not only have the advantage of firmly grasping the sides of the package but also retain theend flaps of the wrapper until the sealing parafiin is cooled or set.

' I have illustrated and described my improvements in a wrapping machine especial- 1 designed for the wrapping of boxes, although various features are desirable and readily adapted for embodiment and use in machines for wrapping other articles having smooth exteriors. I have not illustrated and described various operating mechanisms and connections as these mechanisms may be considerabl varied in accordance with the general design of the machine. It will be understood, however, that the actuation of the plunger 3 and feeding of the wrappers, the

actuation of the front flap folders and the usher, and the releasing of the dog 14 must e properly synchronized.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a Wrappin machine, the combination of a way, a fee plunger, a wrapper feed means, a pair of spaced wrapper retaining bars disposed longitudinally above said way and extending above said feed plunger to engage the wrappers when in initial folding position and during the several folding operations, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, said front end fiap folders being provided with projecting centrally disposed ap bendin fingers, a reciprocating pusher movable in ependently ofsaid front end flap folders and ada ted to reciprocate above the front bottom a folder and between the front end fiap folilers, rear end flap folders mounted at the sides of said way and provided with forwardly rojecting centrally dis osed flap bending ngers, a forwardly an downwardly curved top end flap creasing member disposed at the outer sides of said rear end flap folders, coacting creasing blades reciprocating with said front end flap folders and constituting supports for the front flaps during the folding of the front and rear end flaps, bottom end flap creasing members disposed to act on the bottom end flap after the folding of the front and rear end flaps, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, sealin members disposed at the rear of sa d ap folders, the

faces of said pusher, end flap folders and sealing members being shouldered to receive the projecting cover of a package, and a delivery conveyor comprising belts adapted to engage the sealed ends of the package and having stepped faces corresponding to the shouldered faces of the said folding and sealing members.

2. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger, a wrapper feed means, a pair of spaced wrapper retaining bars disposed lon itudinally above said way and extending above said fed plunger to engage the wrappers when in initial folding position and during the several. folding' operations, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, said front end flap folders being provided with projecting centrally disposed flap bending fingers, a reciprocating pusher movable independently of said front end flap folders and adapted to reciprocate above the front bottom flap folder and between the front end flap folders, rear end fia folders mounted at the sides of said way and provided with forwardly projecting centrally disposed fia bending fingers, a forwardly and downwar ly curved top end flap creasing member disposed at the outer sides of said rear end flap folders, coacting creasing blades reciprocating with said front end flap folders and constituting supports for the front flaps during the folding of the front and rear end flaps, bottom end flap creasing members disposed to act on the bottom end flap after the folding of the front and rear end flaps, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, and sealing members disposed at the rear of said fiap folders.

3. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, an article feed means, a wrapper feed means, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, said front end flap folders being provided with projecting centrally disposed fiap bending fingers, a reciprocating pusher movable independently of said front end flap folders and adapted to reciprocate above the front bottom flap folder and between the front end flap folders, rear end flap folders mounted at the sides of said way and provided with forwardly projecting centrally disposed flap bending fingers, a forwardly and downwardly curved top end flap creasing member disposed at the outer sides of said rear end flap folders, coacting creasing blades reciprocating with said front end flap folders and constituting supports for the front flaps during the folding of the front and rear end flaps, bottom end flap creasing members disposed to act on the bottom end flap after the folding of the front and rear end flaps, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, sealing members disposed at the rear of said flap folders, the faces of said pusher, end flap folders and sealing members being shouldered to receive the projecting cover of a package, and a delivery conveyor comprising belts adapted to engage the sealed ends of the package and havin stepped faces corresponding to the shoul ered faces of the said folding and sealing members.

4. In a wrapping machine, the combination of away, an article feed means, a wrapper feed means, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders o eratively associated with said front bottom ap folder to reciprocate therewith, said front end flap folders being provided with projecting centrally dispose flap bending. fingers, a reciprocating pusher movable independently of said front end fla folders and ads ted to reciprocate above t e front bottom ap folder and between the front end fla folders, rear end flap folders mounted at tile sides of said way and provided with forwardly projecting centrall disposed flap bending fingers, a forwar ly and downwardly curved top end flap creasing member disposed at the outer sides of said rear end flap folders, coacting creasing blades reciprocating with said front end flap folders and constituting supports for the front flaps during the folding of the front and rear end flaps, bottom end flap creasing members disposed to act on the bottom end flap after the folding of the front and rear end flaps, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, and sealing members disposed at the rear of said flap folders. p

5. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger, a wrapper feed means, a pair of spaced wrapper retaining bars disposed longitudinally above said way and extending above said feed longer to engage the wrap ers when in initial folding position and during the several folding operations, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said we a reciprocatin gly mounted front bottom ap folder, front end flap folders operatively' associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, a reciprocating pusher movable independently of said front end flapfolders and adapted to reciprocate horizontally above the front bottom flap folder and between the front end flap folders, rear end flap folders mounted at the sides of said way, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, sealing members disposed at the rear of said flap folders, the faces of said pusher, end flap foldersand sealing members being horizontally shouldered to receive the projecting cover of a package, and a delivery conveyor comprising belts adapted to engage the sealed ends of the package and having stepped faces corresponding to the shouldered faces of the said folding and sealing members.

6. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, an article feed means, a wrapper feed means, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, a reci rocating pusher movable independently of said front end flap folders and adapted to reciprocate above the front bottom flap folder and between the front end flap fo ders, rear end flap folders mounted at the sides of said way, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, sealing members disposed at the rear of said flap folders, the faces of said pusher, end flap folders and sealing members being shouldered to receive the projecting cover of a package, and a delivery conveyor comprising belts adapted to engage the sealed ends of the package and having stepped faces corresponding to the shouldered faces of the said folding and sealin members.

7. In a wrapping mac ine, the combination of a way, an article feed means, a wrapper feed means, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way and provided with a plurality of slots, a shaft having a plurality of oppositely projecting fingers thereon adapted to swing to a vertical position at the front edge of said rear flap folder or to colla se into said slots, means for locking said sha t with its fingers in vertical position, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, a reciprocating pusher movable independently of said front end fla folders and ada ted to reciprocate above the front bottom ap folder and between the front end flap folders, rear end flap folders mounted at the sides of said way, top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, and sealing members disposed at the rear of said flap folders.

8. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocating transversely of said way, a wrap or feed means for delivering wrappers in tiie path of said plunger, a pair of spaced wra per retaining bars disposed longitudinally above said way and extending above said feed plunger to engage the wrappers when in initial folding position, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way and provided thereonadapte to swing to a vertical posi-' with a plurality of slots, a shaft having a plurality of o positely projecting fingers tion at the front edge of said rear flap folder or to collapse into said slots,means for look ing said shaft with its fingers in vertical position, a reciprocatingly' mounted front bottom flap folder, reciprocating front end flap folders, rear and top and bottom end flap folders and sealing means disposed at the sides of the way to act on the flaps as the articles are moved along the way.

9. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocating transversely of said way, a wrapper feed means for delivering wrappers in the path of said plunger, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way and provided with a plurality of slots, a shaft having a plurality of oppositely projecting fingers thereon adapted to swing to a vertical position at the front edge of said rear flap folder or to collapse into said slots, means for locking said shaft with its'fingers in vertical position, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, reciprocating front end flap folders, and rear and top and bottom end flap folders and sealing means disposed at the sides of the way to act on the flaps as the articles are moved along the way.

10. In a wrapping machine, the combina tion of a way, a feed plunger reciprocatingi transversely of said way, a wrapper fee means for delivering wrappers in the path of said plunger,a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way and provided with a plurality of slots, a shaft having a plurality of oppositely projecting fingers thereon adapted to swing to a vertical position at the front edge of said rear flap folder or to colla se intosaid slots, means'for locking said sha with its fingers in vertical osition, a reciprocatingly mounted front ottom flap folder, front end fla folders operatively associated with said ront bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, and rear and top and bottom end flap folders and sealing means disposed at the sides of the way to act on the flaps as the articles are moved along the "8.

l1. I i: a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocating transversely of said way, a wrapper feed means for delivering wrappers in the path of said plunger, a pair of spaced wrapper retaining bars disposed longitudinally above said way and extending above said feed plunger to engage the wrappers when in initial folding position, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way, a reciproeatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end fiap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, a reciprocatingly mounted pusher member, rear and top and bottom end flap folders and sealing means disposed at the sides of the way to act on sponding to the shouldered faces of said 7 folding and sealing members.

12. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocatin transversely of said way, a wrapper feed means for elivering wrappers in the path of said plunger, a pair of spaced wrapper retaining bars disposed longitudinally above said way and extending abovesaid feedplungor to engage the Wrappers when in initial folding position, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of s'aid'w'ay, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively associated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, a reciprocatingly mounted pusher member, and rear and top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way to act on the flaps as the articles are moved alon the way, said pusher member and end flap folders-having shouldered faces. i

13. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocating transversely of said way, awrapper feed means for delivering wrappers in the path of said plunger, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said wa a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom rap folder, front end flap folders o eratively associated with said front bottom ti ap folder to reciprocate therewith, a reciprocatingly mounted pusher member, rear and top and bottom end flap folders and sealing means disposed at the sides of the way to act on thefiaps as the articles are moved along the way, said pusher .member, end flap folders and sealing members having shouldered faces, and a delivery conveyorcomprising belts coacting with the sealed ends of the packages and having stepped faces corresponding to the shouldered faces of said folding and sealingmembers.

14. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocating transversely of said way, a wrapper feed means for delivering wrappers in the path of said plunger, a rear bottom flap folder disposed at the front end of said way, a reciprocatingly mounted front bottom flap folder, front end flap folders operatively as sociated with said front bottom flap folder to reciprocate therewith, reeiprocatingly mounted pusher member, and rear and top and bottom end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way to act on the flaps as the articles are moved along the way, said pusher said fla tion of an artic member and end flap folders having shouldered faces 15. In a wrapping machine, the combinae conveying means including a reciprocating pusher, a plurality of flap folders acting 1n sequence on the said wrapper, sealing members coacting with the folded aps, the said usher, sealing members and certain of said up folders having shouldered faces and a delivery means havin shouldered members coacting with the sealed ends of the wrapped articles.

16. In a wrapping machine, the combination of an article conveying means, a plurality of flap folders acting 1n sequence on the said wrap er sealing members coacting with the folded fl aps the said sealing members and certain of 881d fiapfolders having shouldered face and a delivery means havin shouldereil members coacting with the sea ed ends of the wrapped articles.

17. In a wrapping machine, the combination of an article feed and conveyin means including a reci rocating pusher, an a plurality of flap fol ers acting in sequence on the said wrapper, the said pusher and certain of said flap folders having shouldered faces.

18. In a wrapping machine, the combination of an article feed and conveying means, and a plurality of flap folders acting in seuence on the said wrap er, the said flap olders having shouldere faces.

19. In a wra ping machine, the combination of an artic e conveying means includin a we along which the articles are conveye flap olders disposed to coact with the ends of the article as they are carried along the way, folders having shoulders disposed longitu inally of the way to receive projecting portions of the package, and sealing members di osed at the rear of the folders and also having shouldered faces.

20. In a wrapping machine, the combination of an article conveying means including a we. alon which the articles are conveyed, and flap folders disposed to coact with the ends of the article as they are carried along the way, said fia folders having shoulders disposed longitu inall of the way to receive projecting portions 0 the package.

21. In a wra ping machine, the combination of an artic e feed means including a way and a usher havin a shouldered face, and fla fo ders disposed to act on the flaps at the en 5 of the package and also having shouldered faces.

22. In a wrapping machine, the combination of an article conveying means, reciproeating front end flap folders provided with centrally disposed flap bending fingers, and rear end flap folders provided with projecting central] disposed flap bendin fin ers, said fingers eing adapted to initiaIly s ape and turn the folds PIIOI' to their engagement by the flap folders.

23. In a wrapping machine, the combination of an article conveying means, and flap folders provided with centrally disposed flap bending fingers adapted to initially shape and turn the fla s prior to their engagement by the fie}; fol ers.

24. n a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, reciprocating front end flap folders, rear end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, top and bottom end flap creasing members disposed ad'acent said rear end flap folders, creasing mem ers reciprocating with said front end flap folders to coact with said top flap creasing members and constitutin sup orts for the front flaps during the fold ing o the front and rear end flaps, and top and bottom end flap folders acting on said end flaps in sequence to the action of said creasing members.

25. In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, reciprocating front end flap folders, rear end flap folders disposed at the sides of the way, top end fla creasing members disposed adjacent sai rear end fla folders, creasin members reciprocatin with said front end iiap folders to coact wit said top flap creasing members and constituting supports for the front flaps during the folding of the front and rear-end flaps, and to and bottom end flap folders acting on sai end flaps in sequence to theaction of said creasing members.

26. 'In a wrapping machine, the combination of a way, a feed plunger reciprocatin transversel of said way, a wra per feed means for elivering wrappers in t e path of said feed plunger, reci rocating front end flap folders, rear end up folders disposed at the sides'of the way, and top and bottom end flap creasin members disposed to act subsequent to sai rear end fla folders.

In witness whereof I have hand.

CARL LITTLEFIELD.

ereunto set my 

